New Haven-- Family and friends of of Michael Lieto hug outside court after the arraignment of Aaron Powell for the stabbing death in East Haven yesterday. Photo--Peter Casolino/New Haven Register. 11/14/12

EAST HAVEN -- The man charged with manslaughter in a fight set up on Facebook over a "stupid fake chain" stared down the brother of the victim in New Haven Superior Court Wednesday.

Aaron Powell, 21, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of manslaughter, assault, and reckless endangerment, all in the first degree; carrying a dangerous weapon, and second-degree breach of peace. He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

According to the police report regarding the incident, Powell admitted to police the he stabbed Michael Lieto.

"I stabbed him, I shouldn't have done it but I did, if I could take it back I would," Powell allegedly told police. "It all happened over a stupid fake chain that I never even had. They rolled up on us with a bat looking thing like you all carry. I grabbed the knife and it cut my hand. I'm a hot head, I should have just walked away. It's going to be a while before I see the light of day," he said, and then began to cry, the report says. "I should just tell the judge that I don't wanna go from court date to court date, just give me what you got."

Police say Powell and the unidentified 17-year-old male were involved in a fight with Michael, Dion and Robert Lieto. Michael was stabbed at least once, police say, and died from his injuries about two hours later. Robert was also stabbed but was released from the hospital Tuesday, and was in attendance for Powell's arraignment. Dion was struck by a blunt object, police say, but was able to cooperate with the investigation Tuesday.

Robert Lieto was flanked by friends, his younger sister Marissa, and Michael's girlfriend, Brianna Franco, in court Wednesday. All other individuals being arraigned in court Wednesday filed out of a separate room and sat down in chairs, except for Powell, who judicial marshals kept behind a door before it was his time to be arraigned. Powell locked eyes with Robert Lieto as he walked out of the room to stand by his public defender, until a judicial marshal instructed him to look forward. Nine marshals faced the Lieto family and friends while Powell was arraigned.

Robert Lieto sat forward in his chair during most of the other arraignments, at times becoming emotional and being consoled by friends. When the family left the courtroom, their sister Marissa broke down crying as well, later hugging her brother.

"He was a great guy, my brother did not deserve this," she yelled.

According to East Haven Police Chief Brent Larrabee and the police report, the entire incident stemmed from a fight over a necklace.

Larrabee said Powell and the 17-year-old male were staying with acquaintances in the area of where the fight occurred, near 20 Maplevale Road around 2:15 p.m.

According to the police report, Dion Lieto allowed a friend to use a gold neck chain he was given by his grandmother, but when he tried to get it back, he was told someone else had taken it. Dion told police he contacted that second person and was told "A.P.," believed to be Aaron Powell, had the chain. Dion told police he contacted Powell via Facebook Tuesday morning. Dion told officers, according to the report, that Powell told him to meet him on Maplevale Road.

The three brothers went to the street, to a place called "the pit," as directed by Powell. They saw Powell and an unidentified male walking toward them, so Dion and Michael got out of the car. The second male's name is redacted in the police report because he is 17.

"Dion stated that as they approached each other he saw 'A.P.' pull out a knife as he approached a yellow dumpster in the street," the police report says.

Dion asked for the chain, to which Powell allegedly cursed at them and "swung his knifed hand toward Michael and struck him in his back." Dion told police he then charged at Powell, but the 17-year-old hit him all over his body with a baton and brass knuckles, and he let go of Powell. Then Powell allegedly swung his knifed hand toward Robert, stabbing him. After Robert was stabbed, Michael fell to the ground on his face.

When police arrived, Michael had an open wound near his left shoulder. Robert's entire back was covered in blood. Michael was unconscious upon the police officer's arrival. Dion tried to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Two hours later, Michael died at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Robert was released later that afternoon, and Dion refused medical attention.

Powell told police that the brothers had shown up with a baton, similar to one the police carry.

Officers searched the area and spoke to neighbors, some of whom heard the fight and others who saw it and called police. A neighbor told police he saw Powell and the juvenile leave on foot toward Maplevale Court. Police were able to locate Powell and the other male inside a home.

Larrabee said the two parties became friends on Facebook, which is when the arguments over the chain began. Larrabee said as of Wednesday afternoon, police can't determine if the necklace was stolen.

"They friended each other on Facebook, so one of them knew how to get a hold of Powell, and there was some conversation among them on social media," he said. "There were a lot of exchanges on Facebook and I think also by text messaging."

He said in the coming days more information will be available through an autopsy and as they continue their investigation.

Franco's mother described Lieto as a loving and wonderful person who was planning to go to college and was working two jobs. Franco had been dating Lieto for five years. She took to Facebook in a forum meant to memorialize Lieto.

"I lost my best friend today," she wrote.

Marissa Lieto took to Facebook as well, saying that her brother was just starting his life.

"Today will change me for the rest of my life ... you had the biggest heart and you touched everyone," she wrote.